WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Wears Yogyakarta Batik With Wings Pattern, Minister Of Health Gives Praise

WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (right) poses with the Indonesian Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin/Via ANTARA

YOGYAKARTA - Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is interested in wearing a typical Yogyakarta batik shirt with a wing pattern because it has the meaning of calm.

"The batik that I wear is the same as yours (Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin), but mine has a wing pattern, and I read the meaning, it is serenity, which I like," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus when starting a conversation on the agenda of The 1st press conference. Health Ministers Meeting (HMM) in Yogyakarta, Antara, Monday, June 20.

According to Tedros, the black and golden brown batik motif has an important message that describes calm for everyone.

"It's very important in my opinion for everyone. So, I'm happy not only about the clothes, but the message is also very important," he said.

Tedros appreciates the policy of the Indonesian Ministry of Health which is currently focusing on developing basic health care at the posyandu and puskesmas levels.

He admitted that he was very enthusiastic about visiting the location of basic health services in Yogyakarta, but Tedros had to end his visit in Gudeg City earlier than planned, because there were several other agendas in Jakarta, Tuesday, June 21.

"I have other commitments that arise in Jakarta. So I have to leave Yogyakarta earlier than I planned. But I will remain in Indonesia," he said.

Tedros said WHO supported Indonesia in leading the meeting of the G20 health ministers for a program to reorganize the global health architecture, especially in the basic health care sector.

Previously, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin introduced to all delegates of the G20 health ministers meeting that the batik motif worn by Tedros was typical of Yogyakarta.

"Thank you for wearing batik from Yogyakarta. This is part of introducing Indonesian culture. You look more beautiful with batik," said Budi when opening the 1st Health Ministers Meeting (HMM).